Modi is a doer, give him some time: Ratan Tata

Still not much sign of industrial development in West Bengal, says Ratan Tata.

Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata, during an interaction with members of the Ladies Study Group of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata. Partha Paul

Terming Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a “doer”, chairman emeritus of Tata Sons, Ratan Tata, on Wednesday said that he should be given more time as it was “a huge task to turn the government machinery around”.

“Since 1984, there has been no majority government in the country and we have had coalition governments led by a minority party and it had become extremely difficult to hold on without disturbing the interest of the allies. Modi has a track record of a doer. What he has done for Gujarat is there to see,” Tata said at an interaction organised by Ladies Study Group of Indian Chamber of Commerce in Kolkata. He said that the new government should be given some time to prove its mettle.

Commenting on the industrial climate in West Bengal, Tata, who was forced to shift the Nano plant from Singur in 2008, said that there was still no sign of industrial development in the state. “Driving down Rajarhat, one can now see unbelievable changes in terms of buildings, both commercial and residential, but it still looks like a countryside under development. And not that much sign of industrial development is seen too,” he said.

The Singur incident had a negative impact on the company and the product lost its long term marketability, he said adding that “When Nano was launched, it caused a global excitement that a car can be produced at $2,500. But shifting it from Singur to Gujarat, much of the excitement was lost and the competition got an opportunity to foul mouth our product.”

Without commenting specifically on his reported investments in e-retalier Snapdeal he said that he intended to have personal investments in several areas of e-commerce and e-retail. “We were used to ordering a product and wait for two months. E-retailing demolishes that thing.”